Customers of the Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association are being warned to be cautious of a billing scam that is circulating now.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Capt. Pete Williams said the department had “received a few calls” recently.
“It has been reported from several local businesses that someone claiming to be with Pearl River Valley EPA’s disconnection department is calling,” he said. “They state that if you don’t pay, your electric services will be shut off. When the number is called back, they answer, ‘Disconnection department.’ This is a scam. If you receive this type of call, please call Pearl River EPA to verify the call.”
Pearl River Valley EPA Manager of Member Services Kurt Brautigam said the scams are problematic.
“We see this regularly now, unfortunately,” he said. “Somebody is trying to get money from our customers and somebody else’s customers. The callers are telling members that their electric service accounts will be disconnected unless a payment is made immediately. The caller then provides false information about where a payment can be made with a credit or debit card, or that somebody will be there shortly to collect the money.”
Brautigam said PRVEPA would never call a member with such a request.
“If anyone receives such a call, please let us know,” he said. “We urge our members to not fall for such calls or give any personal credit or banking information over the phone to someone they don’t know.”
Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association offers these tips to help protect bank accounts, credit cards and identity:
• Never give your personal information over the phone to someone that you do not know.
• Electric utilities will not tell you to pay your bill with gift cards, pre-loaded money cards or through wiring money.
• Call your local electric cooperative to verify a call before you give any account information over the phone.
If you suspect a scam, please inform Pearl River Valley Electric by calling (601) 736-2666.
